Boycott suspended, protest continues: The Press will not be silenced

After nearly a month of united protest, the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) have jointly resolved to suspend the boycott of news related to government achievements. The boycott had been initiated as a mark of protest against the mistreatment of journalists during the Gwaltabi incident, where media persons were blocked from performing their duty for using Manipur State Transport bus by a troop of Mahar Regiment. The decision to suspend the boycott, taken after extensive deliberation, must not be misread as a retreat. It is a conscious and strategic shift in the ongoing resistance — not an act of submission, but one of responsibility.
The journalist fraternity of Manipur remains firm in its stand. What has changed is not the spirit of protest, but its form. From this point on, the protest will continue with reporters and television anchors wearing black badges, while news outlets—both print and electronic—will prominently display slogans condemning the government’s inaction and the impunity of security forces. The voice of dissent has not been silenced; it has only become louder and more visible.
The decision to suspend the boycott is rooted in journalistic ethics and the higher duty to inform the public. Government-related news, whether good or bad, forms the basis of public discourse. Without the dissemination of such information, there is no space for constructive criticism, democratic debate, or accountability. The blackout, though symbolic and effective in drawing attention, was ultimately limiting the people’s right to know what their government is doing, especially during a time of prolonged political and social turmoil.
Even under President’s Rule, now nearing its fourth month, Manipur continues to witness a disturbing erosion of constitutional rights. Armed Kuki miscreants roam freely, often in close proximity to security forces, brandishing sophisticated weapons and openly threatening unarmed civilians. The recent shooting of a farmer at Phubala and the intimidation of cultivators at Leitanpokpi are grim reminders of the prevailing lawlessness. In both incidents, security forces remained passive observers. The state’s inability—or unwillingness—to protect its people speaks volumes about the dysfunction of the current administration.
Moreover, the delay in the submission and action on the Gwaltabi enquiry report adds insult to injury. Despite the Governor’s assurance of a 15-day timeframe for the investigation, no meaningful action has been taken. The public, as well as the media, continue to wait for justice that seems indefinitely deferred.
The role of the media in such a climate is not to retreat but to resist more intelligently. By resuming coverage of government activities, the press creates space for public scrutiny. If the government claims achievement, let it be examined. If it makes promises, let those promises be tracked. If it acts unjustly, let it be exposed. The press must serve as the mirror the government dares not look into.
The journalists of Manipur are not backing down. Rather, they are choosing to amplify the struggle in a way that ensures the people remain informed and engaged. The slogans that will now appear daily across newspapers and television screens will serve as a reminder to the government: accountability cannot be evaded, truth cannot be buried, and the spirit of a free press cannot be intimidated.
This editorial is a reaffirmation of that spirit. The boycott may have been suspended, but the protest continues — in headlines, in visuals, in badges, and above all, in our unwavering commitment to speak truth to power. Journalism in Manipur today is not just about reporting events; it is about defending democracy when institutions fail, about becoming the voice when silence is forced, and about standing with the people when power forgets its duty.